Fort Worth arrest controversy is far from over following body camera leak

Fort Worth arrest controversy is far from over

Todd Unger, WFAA5:09 AM. CDT June 07, 2017

In December 2016, Jacqueline Craig called police to report a neighbor had choked her son. Officer William Martin is seen questioning Craig's parenting. That's when the situation became physical, and she and her two daughters were arrested.(Photo: WFAA, WFAA)

FORT WORTH, Texas -- A meeting Tuesday night was likely the first time three Fort Worth police officers heavily involved in the fallout from a controversial arrest have been in the same room at the same time.

The Civil Service Commission meeting at police headquarters had only two agenda items and they both dealt directly with the Jacqueline Craig case. Video of the incident sparked outrage throughout the community.

On Tuesday, one of the assistant chief involved, Abdul Pridgen, was at the commission meeting to ask for more time concerning his demotion proceedings. He has denied wrongdoing.

Fort Worth Chief Joel Fitzgerald, who recommended Pridgen be demoted all the way down to sergeant, was also in attendance.

Fitzgerald received heavy scrutiny for only suspending Martin, and some folks have wondered if city brass has been far more worried about the leak instead of the initial incident.

Daffron is trying to get the commission to open up a separate inquiry into that leak as part of an effort to help Martin's case.

The commission decided to continue that motion until a further meeting. It also elected to give now Captain Pridgen another two months before deciding on a possible further demotion to sergeant, a substantial drop in rank.

The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office says it still hasn't received a full report from Fort Worth police on the internal investigation into the leaked video. It's possible criminal charges could be pursued once that is reviewed, although Daffron doubts it will get that far.

"Criminal charges are not going to go forward," she said. "That is what we're hearing."